15 Day Ride to Everest Base Camp Guided Motorcycle Tour in Nepal and Tibet

Overview

This ride to Everest Base camp takes you inside Nepal and Tibet Himalayan mountain range and with a visit to the foot of world highest mountain through Tibetan Pleatue. In 2001, Parikama Treks made the successful first ride till the foot of Everest Base Camp on their Himalayan motorbike starting from Nepal. The moment when dream ride become reality for the adventure riders in the Himalayas. But it was once again shattered with the earthquake in 2015 that devastated one and only border connecting them to Tibet, China motorbike tour. Once more with all the approval on Nepal and China government, new tracks for people to ride to Everest Base Camp via Kyirong has been opened. This new track to Tibet by motorcycle and a ride to Everest Base Camp via Kyirong will once again take you to the foot of world highest mountain offers stunning mountain views, high passes on a motorbike, vibrant cultur

Highlights

• Ride to Everest Base Camp
• Starts and ends in Kathmandu
• Sightseeing tour at Potala Palace
• 500cc Royal Enfield Motorcycle hire with spare parts
• Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with transport and guide
• Local Tibetan English speaking guide
• 14 nights' accommodation
• Airport transfer

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Kathmandu

   Upon arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, you will be met, assisted and transferred to the hotel. At the hotel lobby, there will be a short briefing about the tour whilst guests are having welcome drinks. Later, guests can retire to the allocated rooms for much deserved shower and rest. Overnight at a hotel.

2. Day 2: Chinese visa preparation, Kathmandu sightseeing, and bike introduction

   Parikrama Treks and Expeditions will submit all your identification details at chinese embassy in Kathmandu for a Chinese group visa. After breakfast, you will commence a sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple (the biggest Hindu temple) and Budhanilkantha Temple (the tallest sleeping Vishnu). Lunch in the hotel and the rest of the day is free for the preparation of trip. There will be a short briefing program conducted in the hall before dinner around 18:00 along with an assistance for money exchange and down jacket distribution. Overnight at a hotel.

3. Day 3: Ride from Kathmandu to Syabru Bensi (152 killometers / 94 miles, 7 hours, altitude: 2400 meters)

   After the breakfast, you will ride to Syabru Bensi. Passing the Kathmandu Valley, the roads twist and turn along the high hills through remote villages. When you reach the village of Ranipauwa, there is a fine view of the Annapurna Mountain range in the west and Langtang Mountain range in the east. Following plain land to Trishuli bazzar, then touring over rough roads, guides you into the Langtang National Park where you will notice the remoteness of the human settlement at higher altitude. Overnight at a hotel in Syabru Bensi.

4. Day 4: Syabrubesi - Rasuwa Gadi - Gyirong (60 kilometers / 37 miles, 2 hours, altitude: 2700 meters)

   Head towards the immigration and customs formalities on both sides (Nepal and Tibet, China). You will drive to the small town, Gyirong, the last border town, complete Nepali immigration formalities and cross the friendship bridge and met your Tibetan guide and driver. Finally, proceed for China custom clearance for the motorcycles and after completion, load up the gear on the waiting Land Cruiser / mini truck and ride for another 24 kilometers to Gyirong town. Gyirong means happy village in Tibetan. Upon arrival, you will check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore a

5. Day 5: Ride to Shegar (approximately 340 kilometers / 211 miles, 6-7 hours, altitude: 4280 meters)

   You will start the scenic ride from Gyirong to Shegar crossing over a few mountain passes among which is Kungthang la pass (5236 meters), one of the highest and you will bypass Tibetan town of Old Tingri from where you will have a good view of Himalaya Mountain range including Everest and few other mountain whose elevations are above 8000 meters. Along the way, you will see the Lake Peigu Tso and Mount Shishapangma (8013 meters) if weather permitting. Here is a breathtaking panorama of beautiful Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest (8848 meters) but is dwarfed by the vastness of the Tibeta

6. Day 6: Ride to Shigatse (approximately 240 kilometers / 149 miles, 6 hours, altitude: 3950 meters)

   After breakfast, head off for 150 kilometers flat stretch to Shigatse. The route today is scenic with only a small pass of 4300 meters. Upon arrival, you will check in at the hotel and following lunch break, you will first go to health check up, then take the bikes for checking at Shigatse vehicle maintenance center. Once pass all the check up, only then you will be granted a temporary bike driving license and temporary plates. Stay in Shigatse for overnight.

7. Day 7: Morning apply for temporary license and afternoon ride to Gyantse (approximately 90 km / 56 miles, 1 - 2 hours, altitude: 3900 meters)

   First thing in the morning, you will visit the Shigatse city traffic police station to apply for the temporary driving license which takes one to two hours depending on the group size and short traffic rules and regulation will be conducted by the traffic police. After lunch, continue to Gyantse. The 90-kilometer journey seems like hours because of the 40 kilometers/hour speed limit imposed by the traffic police. There are regular check posts as well as patrol cars to strictly implement the rule. Gyantse is a pastoral town and still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by

8. Day 8: Ride to Lhasa (approximately 350 kilometers / 217 miles, 9-10 hours, altitude: 3650 meters)

   Today, you will set out of Gyantse for Nagartse (100 kilometers) near Lake Yamdrok, passing the Simi La (4200 meters) Karo La (5010 meters) and the ride to Nagartse, a small village near the Yamdrok Lake and an ideal place for a lunch stop. There are Yak herders around and the lake itself supports a population of scale less fish in its non-saline waters. It is about 124 kilometers from Lhasa. Lhasa, capital of Tibet at an altitude of 3650 meters, is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River in the province of U (Central Tibet). Lhasa consists of two district parts consisting of different

9. Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Lhasa (altitude: 3650 meters)

   After breakfast meet the representative and proceed for the tour of Potala Palace. Your sightseeing begins with a visit to the imposing Potala Palace, once the home of the Dalai Lama. Chapels and galleries within the palace are open to visitors. Visit Jokhang temple, home of the most precious Buddha image in Tibet. Pilgrims holding prayer wheels can be seen walking in a clockwise direction around the temple. Browse through the Barkhor Bazaar where a wide variety of Tibetan handicrafts are on display. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place which is the religious and

10. Day 10: Ride to Sakya (approximately 410 kilometers / 255 miles, 8-9 hours, altitude: 4025 meters)

    After breakfast, set out for Shigatse via the northern route. The route today is relatively straight forward but scenic at times when you ride along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River). It's 280 kilometers from Lhasa to Shigatse City. Upon arrival at Shigatse, you do not enter the city premises but continue on the outskirts and head off further towards Sakya which lies another 110 kilometers from Shigatse. Check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is for rest and self exploration around the city. Overnight at a hotel.

11. Day 11: Ride Sakya to Rongbuk (approximately 255 kilometers / 158 miles, 6 hours, elevation: 5100 meters)

    From Sakya, you will ascend to the Gyatso la pass at 5248 meters, the highest pass on this section of the journey, which is marked by a gate adorned with prayer flags. From here, you will descend to Shegar. From Tingri, you will come out on the main road and slowly negotiate traffic to the sign post which points to the Qomolongma (Everest) National Park. As you ascend and descend from one valley into the other, there are fantastic views of the snow peaked mountains (weather permitting) of the rugged terrain of the high Himalayas. Sulkily breathing dust and leaving a dust trail, you will arrive

12. Day 12: Mount Everest excursion, ride to Tingri (altitude: 4348 meters), and to Gyirong (approximately 286 kilometers / 178 miles, 7 hours)

    After breakfast, you will pay a visit to Everest Base Camp which lies at 5200 meters if you missed it the day before. Follow the dirt road south and the Dzakar Chu (river), Dza Rongphu, Everest Base Camp settlement has now been moved here. The Everest Base Camp is just beyond some moraine hills. From Tingri, you will ride on the highest plateau of the world with typical view of the Tibetan landscape offering sheer feeling of standing on the roof of the world. Overnight at a hotel.

13. Day 13: Ride to Kathmandu (approximately 161 kilometers / 100 miles, 5 hours)

    After breakfast, ride down 24 kilometers to the border and the Nepal - Tibet Friendship Bridge. Here, the porters will transfer the luggage to the Nepal side and you will bid farewell to your guide and riders from Tibet. Complete the Chinese immigration and then cross the friendship bridge. You will be met by representatives from Nepal who will assist to complete the Nepali customs and immigration and ride to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, check in at a hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight at a hotel.

14. Day 14: Free day in Kathmandu

    Free day to relax or explore around the town for the final minute souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner. After dinner, you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

15. Day 15: Final departure

    After breakfast, you will have a free time for final departure transfer to the airport for you onward flight.

Ride Details

Terrain

asphalt

Bike

rental bike (500cc Royal Enfield)

Mileage

2,344 kilometers / 1,456 miles

Daily rides

60 - 410 kilometers / 37 - 255 miles

Riding gear

not included: personal biking clothing including helmets

Meals

all breakfasts

Accommodation

You will be accommodated at a three-star hotel on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu with breakfast for three nights. During your stay in Tibet, you will be accommodated at three-star standard hotels or guest houses on a twin sharing basis.

Food

Daily breakfast is included in the price.

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